The company is unable to give any steer on when it will offer 4G services outside Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch as it is still waiting for the auction of 700MHz spectrum to be completed.

This spectrum is being freed up from the switchover to digital television and has been auctioned off to New Zealand's three mobile companies.

Telecom has lagged behind rival Vodafone in getting a 4G network live. Vodafone launched its 4G services in parts of Auckland in February and according to its website now also offers it in parts of Palmerston North, Wellington, Taupo, Wanaka, Queenstown, and Christchurch.

2degrees - the smallest and newest mobile company in New Zealand - has yet to announce a 4G launch date.

2degrees' chief executive Stewart Sherriff told the Herald last month that 4G was "in the planning mix" and indicated the services could be launched next year.